Daily Evacuation Brief | April 30, 2022
Discover more from The Afghan Digest
LAST 24 HOURS:
ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for the dual mini-bus attacks in Mazar-i-Sharif. The death toll from the attacks has now risen to 11.
Electricity was reportedly out in Kabul and ten other provinces. Breshna Sherkat said it was due to two poles damaged in an explosion. A source stated it was intentional and meant to disrupt communications for the remainder of Ramadan.
The bombing near the Khalifa Sahib Mosque in Kabul has claimed 10 lives so far. Efforts to treat the wounded were complicated by the Taliban barring rescuers from evacuating the wounded and a lack of staff/medicine at the nearby Istiqlal Hospital. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing at this time.
The Taliban announced intentions to hold a Loya Jirga (national assembly of elders) to discuss the nation’s future. Sources in the palace say they have little faith that the assembly will take place as leadership fears it would provide critics a “stage to insult the IEA”. Sources claimed the move was announced to pacify China and Russia’s demands to establish a working, inclusive government.
Uzbekistan’s leaders have stated the aircraft flown out of Afghanistan during the fall of the previous regime belong to the United States and will not be returned to the Taliban. The announcement will put further strain on Uzbek-Afghan relations.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
The majority of the bombings in recent weeks appear to have been timed when the targeted locations were busiest. We recommend at-risk Afghans plan their shopping and essential trips during hours when these places are less busy.
Clearly ISIS-K (and possibly other groups) are attacking on a coordinated campaign schedule that appears to have been planned far in advance. The targeting and timing of the strikes suggest careful planning and staging of materials. Our analysis indicates the attacks will continue after the conclusion of Ramadan. It is possible they are planning a large-scale terrorist attack as a signature statement of their resurgence. At-risk Afghans are cautioned to avoid places of worship, schools, government buildings, and markets as much as possible in the near term.
The Taliban may have already begun recruiting men from the south of the country to fight in what is now being termed the Panjshir War. They are said to be planning to institute a Lak Fine on households who do not provide fighters. Many sources say it will begin soon.
SPOTLIGHT ON CHILDREN:
By Save the Children
Islam’s holy month of Ramadan is considered a time of celebration, compassion and unity, but with the country’s economy near collapse, an increasing number of Afghan families are jobless, destitute and are resorting to desperate measures to feed their children.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.94 AFN (as of 30 APR 2022)
AFGHAN NEWS
Former army general vows new war against Taliban
By Lyse Doucet –BBC News
An ex-general in the Afghan army says he and many other former soldiers and politicians are preparing to launch a new war against the Taliban…
Blast at mosque in Kabul kills at least 10
By Reuters
A powerful blast hit a mosque in western Kabul during prayers on Friday, killing at least 10 and wounding 15, officials said, amidst a…
Islamic Emirate to Hold Loya Jirga on Afghan Situation
By TOLO News
However, the date and venue of the assembly is not yet…
REGIONAL NEWS
China hands over Afghan embassy in Beijing to IEA
By Ariana News
During the meeting, Saadat said that the embassy is ready to provide consular services to Afghans living in China and to Chinese nationals who want to…
Deadlock in talks to run Afghan airports: Officials
By al Arabiya News
…have hit a deadlock after the Taliban insisted their fighters will guard the facilities, officials said.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Russia objects to delivery of Afghan MI-7 Copters to Ukraine
By Pajhwok
Russian has raised objection over US move to hand over gunship helicopters to Ukraine that earlier US purchased for…
(No Photo)
Taliban begs Nigerian firms, others to invest in Afghanistan
By People’s Gazette
The supreme leader of Afghanistan’s Taliban-run government, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has invited domestic and foreign companies to invest in…
THE DAILY WTF
Islamic Emirate Leader Issues Message for Eid
By TOLO News
“After (43 years), the long lasting and devastating war has finally ended and now under the shade of Islamic rule, the ground has been prepared for a peaceful and prosperous life in Afghanistan,”…
By Lizzie Dearden – The Independent
The government is due to give Seefar up to £500,000 more public money under a contract for a new “organised immigration crime deterrence and influencing communications strategy”…